SECNAV Del Toro Issues 'National Call to Maritime Service'
us a better life in America, a life unattainable back in Cuba. Their service and sacrifice instilled in me a desire to give back to this great Nation which took us in at a time when we were most vulnerable,” said Secretary Del Toro.In 1983, Secretary Del Toro graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and served on active duty in the Navy for 22 years. His is just one of many stories of Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and women, and civilians who answered the call to defend the values that define our Nation, and to make a lasting impact on the world.“I encourage
HII Names Courtney Corporate VP of Legislative Affairs
of the Navy. In addition to numerous tours in the Pentagon in requirements and financial management, he also completed multiple overseas deployments as an F-14 radar intercept officer and served as an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).Courtney is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. He also holds master’s degrees in national security affairs from the Naval War College and in business administration from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.Benedict has served in a variety of policy and
Austal USA Names Blastos VP of Supply Chain Management
chain and operations in the U.S. Navy and industry, including Overhead Door Corporation, BAE Systems/DRS Technologies, The Home Depot and General Electric Company, prior to starting at Austal USA.A Navy veteran, Blastos holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He’s a Certified Lean/Six Sigma master blackbelt with a CIPS Global Certification, a global standard for procurement supply.“Austal USA is excited to welcome Jim to our senior leadership team. His hands-on experience with global supply chain innovation will be a great benefit to
Schneider Named Engineering Director at Bollinger Mississippi Shipyard
, contractor and military professionals in overseeing the design and construction of major Department of Defense acquisitions. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs and has a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School
Mejia to Lead World Maritime University
postgraduate maritime and ocean education, research and professional training. Each year, MarineLink's publisher New Wave Media produces a maritime training survey and report in partnership with WMU and Canada-based Marine Learning Systems.Mejia studied Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is also a graduate of WMU, having received a Master of Science in Maritime Safety Administration in 1994. Mejia has a Licentiate of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy from Lund University
Mark Heward Named Director at MITAGS
2019. He then commanded HM Ships CHIDDINGFOLD and CATTISTOCK while conducting United Kingdom-based operations.Heward brings his experience both as a commanding officer and as a teacher to the role of Director of MITAGS. After coming to the United States, Heward served at the United States Naval Academy as the Operations Officer from July 2020 until August 2022, teaching Advanced Navigation and commanding the US Navy Yard Patrol Craft at sea as Officer in Tactical Command, where he was responsible for up to 160 midshipmen and staff.Heward has a Masters in IT and Management (Distinction) as well
Fincantieri Marinette Marine Names Vandroff CEO
president of business development.Vandroff spent more than 30 years in the Navy, which was highlighted by tours as the major program manager for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and the commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Md. He holds a B.S. in Physics from the United States Naval Academy and an M.S. in Applied Physics from Johns Hopkins University.Prior to joining FMG, Vandroff served as the deputy assistant to the President of the United States and senior director for defense policy on the National Security Council staff. In this role, he served as the President’s senior
Roberts Named President of Foss Maritime
leadership roles for marine systems and services provider Rolls-Royce, rising to senior vice president, customer and services–Americas.A U.S. Navy veteran, Roberts served as a qualified deck and engineering officer aboard the fast attack submarine USS Honolulu.He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in ocean engineering and holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. Most recently, Roberts completed a course of study at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and is currently enrolled in a course of study at the Foster School of Business
Aker BP Names New Operations & Asset Development SVP
of the Executive Management Team of Aker BP. She comes from a position as VP Operations and Asset Development for Skarv field in Aker BP. Dolve holds a degree from NHH in Bergen, and has a Master in International Management from ESADE in Barcelona. Further, Dolve holds a degree from The Royal Naval Academy. "Ine has made a tremendous effort as responsible for Skarv. She has shown a good ability to implement systematic improvements over time, and by that contributed to significant value creation for the company. Her very good ability to lead and motivate will be important for the phase
Reiss Named Director of NOAA's Ocean Prediction Center
the Navy to facilitate a strong partnership on topics that included Arctic sensing and modeling, underwater unmanned systems, data sharing and budget.Reiss earned his M.S. in Air & Ocean Physical Sciences from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Oceanography and Meteorology from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a four-time recipient of both the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal, and a two-time recipient of the Legion of Merit
Maritime College Names Waters Provost and VP
The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College announced that Jennifer K. Waters has been appointed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs beginning July 1. Dr. Waters currently serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.Dr. Jennifer Waters, a native New Yorker, received her bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and marine engineering from the Webb Institute before earning a master’s and doctoral degree in ocean engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.Dr. Waters is a professional engineer with broad
USMMA Class of 2022 Sworn into USNR
or Engineering Officer.As part of their service obligation, graduates of USMMA serve five years on active-duty in the military, or sail five years as Officers in the U. S. Merchant Marine and eight years in the Reserves. USMMA is the single largest commissioning source for the U.S. Navy after the Naval Academy, ensuring a steady stream of leaders and merchant marine officers to support the nation’s economic and security interests
USMMA Names Academic Dean and Provost
advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA strategic plan.Dr. Ballard served as a Marine Infantry officer immediately following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. He commanded Marines at the platoon, company, battalion and group levels, in both the active and reserve components, served in peace operations in Haiti, and commanded Marines, Soldiers and Sailors in combat during the Iraq War.His academic experience includes service at the Joint Forces Staff
Roughead Joins Fincantieri Marinette Marine Board
Operations from 2007 - 2011, after holding six operational commands. He is one of only two officers in the history of the Navy to have commanded both the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.Roughead served in several key positions aside from his sea duties, most notably as the commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy, and as the Navy’s chief of legislative affairs, who is responsible for the Department of the Navy’s interaction with Congress. He also was the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command.In addition to serving on corporate and university boards, Roughead is the Robert and Marion Oster
CODA Elects Plumb to Board of Directors
Inform Inc. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation. He also serves on the advisory board of Red Six Aerospace Inc., an augmented reality air combat training systems company. Captain Plumb earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.As a result of his appointment to the Board, Captain Plumb will receive compensation of a quarterly fee of $10,000. In addition, he was awarded 6,424 shares of common stock of the Company, which will vest on the first anniversary of his election
VT Halter Marine Taps Baczkowski as CEO
Corporation, a provider of integrated services for US government, where he had operational oversight and P&L responsibility.Baczkowski holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces; Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the US Naval Academy; and a Master of Science in Systems Management/Logistics from the University of Southern California
Hepburn and Sons Appoints Crone as Director
Hepburn and Sons LLC team has welcomed CAPT Timothy Crone as its newest Director. CAPT Timothy Crone, USN (Ret) will serve as Hepburn’s Director, Advisory Services.CAPT Crone, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the US Naval Academy and completed a Master of Science in Justice, Law and Society from American University. He has also received a Master of Arts in National Security Policy and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.CAPT Crone served as the Commanding Officer on USS PONCE (LPD 15) through
